CMIT North Middle School Newsletter
Week of November 27, 2022
From the Principal's Office
As we move into the second week of the school year, I want to express my gratitude for the smooth start we’ve had. It’s been wonderful to see our students, staff, and families coming together to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued.
This week, our focus is on establishing a strong culture and climate for learning. We believe that a positive and supportive atmosphere is key to academic success and personal growth. To that end, our teachers and staff are working diligently to reinforce routines, procedures, and expectations that will help all students thrive.
We’re emphasizing the importance of consistent routines and clear procedures to ensure that every student knows what is expected of them throughout the school day. These routines are not just about maintaining order but are vital in creating a safe and predictable environment where students can focus on learning.
In addition, we are committed to upholding a safe school environment. This includes reinforcing expectations around behavior, respect, and responsibility, both in the classroom and across the school grounds. We ask for your continued support in discussing these expectations at home, helping your child understand their role in contributing to a positive school community.
We are excited about the year ahead and confident that, with your partnership, we will build a strong foundation for success. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification on our expectations and procedures.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our school community.
Educationally Yours,
Principal Andrew Brauer, M. Ed
Important Dates
CMIT Academy follows the PGCPS school calendar.
Import the CMIT North Middle School calendar to your own Gmail calendar to stay informed of all school-wide events.
9/2: Labor Day (Schools and Offices Closed)
9/9: Back to School Night - 5pm-7:30pm
9/16: Professional Development (Schools Closed for Students)
9/27: 3-Hour Early Dismissal
10/7: Parent-Teacher Conferences
10/18: Professional Development Day (Schools Closed for Students)
10/31: 1st Quarter Ends
11/1: 3-Hour Early Dismissal
Student Rights and Responsibilities and Publicity Release Forms
On Tuesday during 6th period, students will participate in the Student's Rights and Responsibilities assembly. This assembly is an important opportunity for students to learn about their rights, understand school and county expectations, and review the PGCPS Student Code of Conduct and discipline policies. Students will receive an acknowledgement of review form that must be signed by both students and their families and returned to school. You will also be receiving the Publicity Release form to sign and return to school. Please take time to review the Student's Rights and Responsibilities Handbook here:
Acknowledgement Form- https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/pupil-personnel/docs---pupil-personnel/acknowledgement-of-review-of-the-students-rights-and-responsibilities-handbook---form.pdf
Publicity Release Form- https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/newsroom/docs---newsroom/pgcps-publicity-release-form.pdf
Locker Distribution
Locker distribution will take place on Wednesday, after students have had the opportunity to attend and understand the Student Rights and Responsibilities assembly. Students will be expected to place their backpacks, cell phones, and lunches/snacks in their lockers. Students have three opportunities per day to visit their lockers: during morning arrival, before lunch, and at dismissal. Students are responsible for picking up the necessary supplies needed for their classes only during those times. Additionally, as a reminder, students are not to share lockers or share their combinations to their lockers with other students.
**Please note that rolling backpacks do not fit in the lockers and students who have them, will need an alternate backpack moving forward.**
Students do not need combination locks but here is a video to assist with learning to opening a locker.
Food and Nutrition Services (School Meals): Free and Reduced Meal Application
All parents are encouraged to apply for Free or Reduced Meal Services (FARMS). This information impacts school funding which equals $$dollars$$ in our classrooms.
Even if parents don't think they qualify, they are encouraged to apply at MySchoolApps.com. Online applications are processed within 24-48 hours.
Students who are not eligible for free or reduced-priced meals must pay for their meals. See Meal Prices. Parents and guardians can easily monitor and add funds to student meal accounts using MySchoolBucks.
Synergy ParentVUE
Synergy is PGCPS' new Student Information System. It is critically important that families activate their ParentVUE account. This will allow parents to view student schedules, attendance, and grades.
If you have questions or need support please click here: ParentVUE Support and FAQ
Communication
We are pleased to have you as partners in this educational year. As the year progresses, and as you become either more informed or more puzzled, we encourage you to call the school and talk with those who might be of help. If your question deals with in-class events, grades, or curriculum please ask to speak with the teacher. Teacher contact information will be provided to you on the student’s syllabus, as well as, on our school website at https://ms.cmitacademy.org/about-us/staff-directory/.
We always encourage parents and students to call our Main Office to be directed to the appropriate personnel at any time. Our Main Office phone number is 301-350-6051 or email Mrs. Petit-Homme, Receptionist, at monica2.petithomme@pgcps.org.
Each Sunday a Newsletter is published and emailed to parents and students. Please review this newsletter with your scholars to promote them being informed citizens in the CMIT community. The newsletter often has information about Teacher of the Month, Student of the Month, class projects, assessment dates, clubs, athletics announcements, PTO announcements, and other activities.
PGCPS transitioned to a new Student Information System (SIS) this year. Rather than using Schoolmax, Synergy will be the new platform used to manage student information such as home addresses, phone numbers, grades, transcripts, schedules, etc. Faculty and staff will be attend training on the use of Synergy when they return to school later this month. Training and assistance will also be available to parents throughout the school year. Opportunities will be shared via this newsletter, email, and other methods of communication.
Arrival/Departure Routine
Arrival/Departure Routine
Please see the Traffic Flow Map of the driving routes and drop-off/pick-up locations. Please note: All parents, carpooling, or individuals, must drop off and pick up in the rear of the building. The side parking lots are designated for commercial vans/buses only. Only students who ride on a commercial van or bus will be permitted to exit to the side parking lot.
Everyone will become more accustomed to the drop-off and pick-up routine as the school year progresses. The process will become more and more efficient. Typically, by the third week of school, all vehicles are gone within 15 minutes of the dismissal bell.
Please be patient and follow the instructions from those directing traffic. No one's time is more valuable than the safety of OUR children. It takes all of us, faculty and parents, working together to ensure a safe environment at all times.
Please complete the Dismissal Questionnaire.
School Hours
8:00 am: Student Breakfast
8:15 am - 8:30 am: General Student Arrival
8:30 am - 2:49 pm: Instruction
2:50 pm: Car Rider Dismissal
2:55 pm: Bus/Van Dismissal
3:00 pm: After-School Activities Dismissal
Fees will be assigned to parents for students dropped off early and/or picked up late.
Before and After Care Enrichment is available through the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) Enrichment Program.
6:30am - 8:15am: Before Care (Zero)
3:00pm - 4:00pm: After Care (Stars)
4:00pm - 6:00pm: After Care (Scholars)
School Uniform
This year, we have two uniform vendors to choose from, All American Wear and Risse Brothers.
Please review the CMIT North Middle School Uniform Policy. Uniforms are expected to be worn on the first day of school for all students, August 26, 2024.
Please take note that we have updated our shoe policy on page 2 of the CMIT North Middle School Uniform Policy.
Shoes must be MOSTLY BLACK (logo okay, different color sole okay, shoestring must be black), closed-toed dress shoes or athletic shoes only.
Slippers, slide-ins, thin-soled shoes, sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, high-heeled shoes (heels must be not more than 1 inch), Crocs, slides, roller shoes, shoes with wheels, and shoes with openings exposing the foot or socks are not permitted.
For safety purposes, shoes must be worn at all times and shoelaces must be tied properly, all buckles fastened - nothing may dangle or drag from shoes.
Socks, stockings, tights, or hose (solid black, navy blue, or white) must be worn with shoes. Clear or skin-colored hose are also acceptable.
School Supplies
Each educator will provide a syllabus during the first week of school to each student. The syllabus will provide a detailed list of needed supplies for each class.
Until that time, the following items are always needed:
1. 3-ringed binders
2. Pencil Pouch
3. Pens and pencils in bulk
4. Individual pencil sharpener
5. Composition Notebooks
6. Loose leaf paper (hole punched and placed in binder)
7. 2-pocket folders (hole punched and placed in binder)
8. Assorted highlighters
Athletic Eligibility
CMIT North Middle School participates in competitive athletics with other PGCPS middle schools. To be eligible students must have the following:
1. Complete the Athlete Participation Packet and return completed forms to the Athletic Director;
2. Have and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA;
3. Review and agree to the PGCPS Parent/Student Athletic Handbook;
The requirements must be completed prior to stepping on the field for tryouts.
Fall Sports: Baseball, Softball
Winter Sports: Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Cheer
Spring Sports: Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer
Families are encouraged to complete the requirements over the Summer months to ensure eligibility when seasons begin. Athlete Participation Packets and physicals are good for the entire school year.
Baseball & Softball Interest Meeting
Welcome back, CMIT North Middle School family! The time is here, baseball and softball season! On Tuesday, September 3rd we will have an interest meeting for all students that would like to tryout for the teams. The meeting will be held from 3:00pm to 3:30pm in room 166. At that time, I will go over all important information, concerning both teams.
Have a great holiday weekend and I look forward to seeing all of you there!
-Mr. McCain
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